Comment Log Display

Dear Chairman Nichols:

As an elected official representing the residents of the City of
Arvin, I support the adoption of the 

most ambitious Sustainable Communities Strategies possible this
year to support healthier, more 

sustainable communities throughout the San Joaquin Valley. As my
local Council of Governments 

moves forward with developing and implementing our initial
Sustainable Communities Strategy 

and into the next round of SCS planning, we must pursue strong,
actionable plans to benefit Valley 

residents and contribute to California’s pollution reduction goals.


I believe that SB 375 offers an important opportunity that our
region and my community cannot 

afford to miss. The San Joaquin Valley’s most valuable resources
are our people, but our people 

face many burdens that can be made lighter if we adopt and
implement strong SCS plans. Our 

region is threatened with some of the worst air pollution
challenges in the nation; high rates of 

asthma, obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other chronic
illnesses; and our people, our air, water 

and agricultural heritage are increasingly threatened by climate
change. 

I encourage the California Air Resources Board to maintain a high
level of collaboration to ensure 

clear communications between state, regional and local partners;
support strong engagement 

across county borders; and a recognition that all areas of the
Valley can benefit from strong 

sustainable community planning. 

Strong, coordinated efforts to implement SB 375 will position the
Valley for access to greatly 

needed resources to implement more sustainable planning and
projects, including Strategic Growth 

Council sustainable planning grants or AB 32 auction proceeds. We
need your help to ensure strong 

plans are approved, and to ensure that we set our region up for
investment, jobs, and healthier 

communities. 

Thank you for bringing the San Joaquin Valley Sustainable
Communities Strategies forward for 

discussion before the Board and for working closely with us in the
Valley to ensure successful 

implementation of SB 375 is achieved to the benefit of my
constituents, to our region and to the 

state of California.

Sincerely,

Jose Gurrola
Council Member
City of Arvin